As folks know, pro-democracy protests are breaking out across the Middle East and North Africa. There are so many different countries and changing situations that it is very difficult to understand how events are moving in the various countries. Below is my attempt to create a repository that can be used to track news of such pro-democracy protests. I make no claim that this list is comprehensive. I invite folks to post any links to articles about such protests. I will attempt to keep this dairy up to date with all links that folks provide.
I am reissuing a diary I have published before. With Mubarak gone, there are celebrations all over the Arab world and no one can doubt that pretty much every regime in the Middle East must worry. I am attempting to track some of the ongoing news in a single place for folks to reference.
Big news to be aware of: A major protest has been schedule for tomorrow in Algeria.
Algeria |Bahrain | Egypt | Lebanon | Libya | Iran | Iraq | Israel | Jordan |Kuwait | Oman | Morocco | Palestine | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Sudan | Syria | Tunisia | Turkey | United Arab Emirates | Yemen | Other
Overview Articles
Generally, one of the key driving forces is food prices. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) notes that food prices in December passed their historic peak (June, 2008, which also saw protests in many parts of the world. The UN Dispatch has a handy chart showing just how out of the norm these prices are, and hence how devastating they can be to people living in or on the edge of poverty.
Feb. 3: The FAO reports that prices again reached a new level in January:
See the CIA World Factbook for various background information, including world inflation rates.
Jan. 31: A roundup of regional protests from Reuters.
Feb. 1: The Arab freedom epic
Feb. 2: Protests Spreading To Syria, Jordan And Beyond. "As Egypt's protests continue to rage, the unrest is spreading to its neighbors, with demonstrations planned in Yemen, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia in the next 48 hours."
Feb. 3: Anti-government protests in [more than] 3 Arab states
Feb. 3: It feels good to be Arab these days
Feb. 5: Middle East Leaders Gamble on Subsidies
Feb. 7: Can Arab Leaders Spend Their Way Out Of Discontent?
Feb. 8: Wht keeps Mubarak on his Throne?
Presidents and monarchs of various Arab states see in the fall of Mubarak’s regime a catalyst of their own demise. Perhaps the huge number of phone calls Mubarak has received from Arab leaders urging him to stand firm is evidence that these rulers believe Mubarak is the last dike holding back the flood of popular power.
Feb. 11: Arabs celebrate 'Pharaoh's' fall "Celebrations have erupted across the Middle East after Hosni Mubarak stepped down as Egypt's president. From Beirut to Gaza, people rushed into the streets, handing out sweets, setting off fireworks and shooting in the air."
Feb. 11: NY Times index of Revolutionary Measurements
Feb. 11: Turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa: the economic background
NORTH AFRICA
Morocco
Feb. 11: After lull, job protests resume in Morocco capital
Feb. 11: Morocco pressured to step up reforms
Feb. 7: Calls for strikes reach Morocco
Feb. 3: Morocco follow the footsteps of Egypt, calls for a demonstration February 20
Feb. 3: Morocco government plays down call for protests
Feb. 3: Morocco government plays down call for protests. "A group on social networking website Facebook has gathered more than 3,000 followers for a February 20."
Jan. 31: Morocco watches nervously as Egypt erupts
Morocco has not been touched, yet, by the violent protests that have ended the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia, threaten Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and have shaken Algeria's Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
"But we mustn't be deceived, almost every authoritarian systems will be affected by this wave of protest, Morocco will probably be no exception," a cousin of King Mohammed VI warned in an interview published Monday.
Jan. 30: YouTube video apparently of Jan. 30 protests in Tanger via Gracian
Algeria
Feb. 11: Algerian police squash pro-Egypt demonstration
Feb. 11: Algeria moves to stave off unrest - "around 10,000 police officers were coming into reinforce the 20,000 that blocked the last protest staged on January 22."
Feb. 11: Fourth self-immolation death in Algeria since mid-January
Feb. 11: Defiant Algerian opposition plans rally for 'change'
Feb. 8: Large student protests in Algeria
Feb. 7: Algeria bans Feb. 12 opposition march
Feb 6: Man tries to set himself on fire at Algeria protest
Feb. 3: Algeria to lift emergency rule soon:official media
Feb. 2: Pro-government members of Algeria's parliament have proposed lifting a 19-year-old state of emergency
Feb. 2: Algerian Government warns opposition against any violence at the major rally planned on Feb. 12.
Jan. 29: More than 10,000 protest in Bejaia
Jan. 29: Call for mass demonstrations on Feb. 9
Tunisia
Feb. 8: Tunisia calls up army reserves to confront unrest
Feb. 6: Tunisia Sees Renewed Violence, Amid Fears Ben Ali Loyalists Plan Comeback
Feb. 1: Protests to oust Ben Ali left at least 219 dead. This is almost three times the official government figure.
Jan. 31: Tunis Police Break Up Protest at Interior Ministry
Libya
Feb. 9: Libyan held on traffic charge after protest call
Feb. 7: Leaked cables reveal anger at regime may make Libya the next Arab domino to fall
Feb. 1: Libya cancels soccer matches due to Egyptian protests and Wikileaks disclosures
Jan. 30: Is Qaddafi of Libya now getting worried?
Egypt
Mubarak is gone, and good riddance. May Suleiman ssoon follow, and may democracy soon emerge. But there is too much news for me to cover. I’ll simply direct you to the latest DKos Mothership diary:
Middle East Protests Mothership
Sudan
Feb. 11: In Sudan, protests met with violent government response
Feb. 11: 105 die in Southern Sudan fighting
Feb. 8: US to recognise south Sudan, says Obama
Feb. 7: Army mutiny leaves dozens dead in southern Sudan
Feb. 4: Police beat, arrest Sudanese at short-lived protests
Feb. 3: Sudanese Activists Hope to Follow Tunisia and Egypt, Despite Different Circumstances
Feb. 3: Sudan cracks down on opposition ahead of protests. "Sudan widened its crackdown on the opposition by arresting 10 journalists from the Communist Party newspaper ahead of anti-gvernment protests expected on Thursday by activists inspired by Egypt's uprising."
Feb. 3: Sudan: Authorities Tighten Controls on Press After Anti-Government Protests, Referendum
Jan. 30: Sudanese police, students clash in the capital
Sudanese police clashed with [approximately 100] students Sunday as protests inspired by rallies in Egypt broke out in the capital.
Some reports say one protester was killed.
LEVANT
Israel
Feb. 11: Quiet Worries as Israel Watches an Ally Depart
Feb. 11: PM announces economic relief measures to reduce the rising prices of commodities
Feb. 10: Just to toot my own horn, my diary from ysterday: Adalah: Israel in a changing Middle East
Feb. 10: Activist: Israel becoming country of servants and lords
Feb. 9: Egyptian natural gas exports to Israel expected to resume on Feb. 17
Feb. 9: Israel increases defense budget by $190 million
Feb. 8: WikiLeaks: Israel long viewed Egypt VP as preferred Mubarak successor
Feb. 8: Middle East waits for the gas to flow
Feb. 4: Why Israel fears a free Egypt
Feb. 3: Is Arab Democracy Good for the West -- and Israel?
Feb. 2: Israel demands the West impose conditions on Egypt. "Prime Minister wants international community to make clear that new leadership must meet a series of conditions similar to those posed by Hamas in order to gain recognition of legitimacy."
Feb. 2: Israeli study finds coup possibility in Mococco and Saudi Arabia
Jan. 31: Israel urges world to cool criticism of Mubarak
Palestine
Feb. 11: Calm in Gaza Following Calls on Internet for Protests
Feb. 10: Palestinians turning to Arab Street for inspiration
Feb. 9: Facebook page urges Gazans to topple Hamas government
Feb. 9: Abbas receives Jordanian citizenship
Feb. 8: PA cabinet calls elections for July 9, Hamas rejects participation
Feb. 7: Palestinian security suppressing West Bank fervor over Egypt protests
Feb. 6: Ramallah: Palestinian youth call for change in solidarity with Egypt - "Perhaps as many as 1,000 people – and some estimates put the number higher – showed up for Saturday’s rally in Ramallah"
Feb. 5: Why the Palestinian Authority Is Worried About Egypt
Feb. 4: Israel Police brace for possible Temple Mount unrest amid Egypt turmoil
Feb. 3: Hamas allows anti-Mubarak protest in Gaza
Feb. 1: Palestinian media mum on Egypt protests
Feb. 1: Palestinian government calls for local elections amid Egypt unrest
Feb. 1: Police in Gaza break up Egypt solidarity rally. Notes that government in Ramallah broke up a similar protest there.
Lebanon
Feb. 8: Hariri allies pull out of talks on joining government
Feb. 8: Hundreds take part in pro-Hariri rally
Feb. 7: Hariri allies end talks on joining government
Feb. 7: Hezbollah backs Egypt protests
Feb. 7: Lebanese Minister blames US Ship for Jamming Lebanon Internet
The situation is extremely complex. There were sharp protests by certain portions of the Sunni community following the election of Najib Mikati (supported by Hezbollah and the resistance) as Prime Minister last week, but theyse seem to have died off very quickly.
Syria
Feb. 8: Syria Opens Facebook, YouTube for First Time in Five Years
Feb. 8: Syria's 'Day of Anger' failed to ignite as protesters stay away
Feb. 7: Syria to give $250 million aid to poor
Feb. 6: How Syria dodged an Egypt-style 'day of rage'
Feb. 4: Early reports suggest that expected Friday protests have not materialized.
Feb. 4: Syria tightens security at parliament, no sign of protests
Feb. 4: Syria's Day of Anger? Most Syrians suspect few will take to the streets.
Feb. 3: Calls for weekend protests in Syria. "Organisers say protests will be staged in front of the parliament in the capital, Damascus, on Friday and Saturday, and at Syrian embassies across the world. Several pages have been set up on Facebook, with the most popular one, named "The Syrian Revolution", "liked" by about 13,000 people by Thursday."
Feb. 1: Syrians call for protests on Facebook and Twitter
Jan. 31: Syrians called to join in anti-government protests
In neighbouring Jordan a group calling itself the Damascus Alliance for National Change is planning nationwide rallies next weekend.
Organisers have begun circulating leaflets and messages on the internet demanding freedom of speech, human rights and economic reforms and they are asking demonstrators to rally outside parliament house in Damascus, the Syrian capital.
Jan 31: Syria Strongman: Time for 'Reform'
Jan. 30: The Syrians are watching
MIDDLE EAST
Jordan
Feb. 11: Demonstrations Erupt in Jordan’s Capital
Feb. 11: Mubarak's departure lesson to Arabs—Jordan Islamists
Feb. 11: Hundreds of Jordanian protesters demand new PM's ouster
Feb. 11: Royal court denies Jordan tribes targeting queen
Feb. 8: More Egypt Fallout: Moody’s Downgrades Jordan’s Debt
Feb. 8: The Future of Jordan
Feb. 7: Tribesmen slam Queen Rania, warn of revolt - "in a joint statement issued over the weekend, the 36 tribal figures also issued a stern warning: If political reform isn't implemented soon, Jordan is likely to face a popular uprising similar to those in Egypt and Tunisia."
Feb. 4 Low key protests in Jordan pass off without incident
Feb. 4: Hundreds Join Antigovernment Protests in Jorda
Feb. 3: Jordan's Muslim opposition refuses Cabinet posts
Feb. 1: Jordan protests: King Abdullah names Marouf Bakhit PM
Feb. 1: Jordan's King Dismisses Cabinet
King Abdullah II of Jordan fired his government in a surprise move on Tuesday, in the face of a wave of demands of public accountability sweeping the Arab world and bringing throngs of demonstrators in the streets of Egypt.
The Jordanian news agency Petra announced that following recent protests in Jordan itself, the king had sacked Prime Minister Samir Rifai and replaced him with Marouf al-Bakhit, a former general and ambassador both to Israel and Turkey. He is widely viewed as clean of corruption.
Feb. 1: Factbox: Political risks to watch in Jordan
Jan 29: Civil unrest spreads to Jordan
Iraq
Feb. 11: Protesters In Iraqi Cities Demand Better Social Services, Corruption Probes - "Protests of various sizes were held in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Karbala, Najaf, Diwaniyah, Kut, Ramadi, Samawah, and Amara. Members of the Iraqi union of lawyers joined demonstrations in Baghdad, Karbala, and Samawah."
Feb. 11: Iraq lawyers protest against banning them from entering state directorates
Feb. 11: Hundreds of Iraqis protest lack of basic services
Feb. 7: Unrest Spreads to Iraq as Protesters call for Jobs, Electricity
Feb. 6: Iraq swirls with rumors of Egypt-like protests to come
Iran
Feb. 11: Iran 'arrests activists' ahead of planned march
Feb. 11: Iran’s Greens seek to fire up support
Feb. 11: Iran Presses Opposition to Refrain From Rally
Feb. 8: Iran's opposition green movement calls for renewed street protests
Feb. 7: Iran’s opposition calls for Egypt protests - "leaders Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hussein Moussavi reportedly applied for permits to set up a rally on February 14."
Feb. 7: US government media reports the same item above as: Iran's ‘Day of Rage’
Feb. 1: Iran officially supports uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. However,
Feb. 1: Iranian opposition groups inspired by Egyptian protests, call for Iranian protests Feb. 12.
Jan. 28: How Tehran Sees Tunis
Turkey
Feb. 5: In Turkey’s Example, Some See Map for Egypt
Feb. 4: Turkish PM's tough words on protests stir up northern Cyprus
Feb. 2: Translation of PM Erdogan's Feb. 1 speech
Feb. 1: Turkish PM backs Egypt protesters
ARABIAN PENNISULA
Feb. 9: Gulf activists call for democracy in region
Feb. 1: Some experts argue that the Gulf region, back by massive oil money, is inherently sheltered from these types of popular protests.
Kuwait
Feb. 8: Kuwait youth group delays anti-govt demo to March 8.
Feb. 7: Kuwait interior minister resigns ahead of planned protest
Feb. 1: Kuwaiti parliament approved legislation to grant each Kuwaiti 1,000 Kuwaiti dinars ($3,580)
Jan. 29: Kuwait is currently quiet, but worried. Kuwait threatens to deport "foreigners" who organize protests.
Jan. 20: Kuwait spends $4 billion to subsidize food
Saudi Arabia
Feb. 11: Saudi King suffers a 'major medical setback'
Feb. 11: Mubarak's Departure Deals Setback to Saudis
Feb. 8: Saudi reformers start Facebook group that by Tuesday had nearly 2,000 members.
Feb 7: Swoop Feb 7th-13th (temporary link) – "With the course of the crisis still far from settled, US is quietly stepping up its interactions with Saudi Arabia, passing assurances to the Saudi monarchy that the US unwillingness to support President Mubarak does not imply that the US any hesitation to support the Saudi leadership if confronted by a similar challenge. US officials are also assessing how any forthcoming changes in Egypt might impact Israel’s position in the region. A series of high level meetings has been held with Jewish organizations to provide reassurance about the US "unshakeable" commitment to Israel."
Feb. 7: Saudi Arabia fears Egypt unrest could bolster Iran - "Any US abandonment of Mubarak seen alarming Saudis"
Feb. 5: Saudi top cleric blasts Arab, Egypt protests
Feb. 1: Saudi Arabia May Not Seem Weak, But It's Hiding Three Political Threats
Yemen
Feb. 11: Yemen Inspired by Cairo But Fearful of Chaos
Feb. 11: Thousands of south Yemen protesters demand secession
Feb. 11: Anti-Mubarak Protests Flare in Yemen
Feb. 10: Opposition Softens Stance in Yemen
Feb. 8: US spy drone 'crashes in Yemen', Al Qaeda makes off with remains.
Feb. 7: Socialist Roots to Yemen’s "Days of Rage"
Feb. 6: Yemeni opposition to keep boycott of Parliament going
Feb. 4: Anonymous Takes Out Yemeni Government Websites
Feb. 4: Anti-government rallies in Yemen stay calm
Feb. 3: Factbox: Groups challenging Yemen's government
Feb. 3: Tens of thousands at Anti-gvernment rallies in Yemen stay calm
Feb. 3: Dueling Protests in Yemen Unfold Peacefully
Feb. 2: Yemen's Leader Pledges not to Run Again. "President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen said Wednesday that he would not run for re-election when his term ends in 2013."
Feb. 1: Protests Spring Up in Rural Yemen
Yemen's opposition turned its focus to the country's rural areas Monday, organizing demonstrations in southern and central provinces that drew thousands—unusually large gatherings for these mountainous, hard-to-reach areas.
Over 3,000 opposition supporters gathered in the town of Maweya in Taiz province, in southern Yemen, condemning alleged oppression by the ruling party of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to eyewitnesses. And in Dhammar province , in central Al-Hada district, the opposition was able to gather more than 1,500 followers, in a district considered a stronghold for the ruling party.
Monday's protests are much smaller than demonstrations that drew thousands to the streets of San'a, the capital, and other urban centers late last week. Opposition leaders said they were now targeting rural areas, where loyalties to tribal and local authorities often outweigh any allegiance to Mr. Saleh's central government. They have promised country-wide demonstrations on Thursday.
These protests follow up on last Thursday’s protests, in which tens of thousands of Yemenis rallied against the government in the capital.
American media expresses skepticism that the Yemenis could ever overthrow their government (and we all know how good the American media is at predicting this sort of thing.
Oman
United Arab Emirates
Feb. 8: Egypt's Mubarak meets UAE foreign minister amid ongoing unrest
Qatar
Feb. 2: Al-Jazeera says broadcasting disrupted
Bahrain
Feb. 11: Bahrain's king gives out cash ahead of protests - roughly $2,500 per family
Feb. 8: Bahrain cyber-activists urge 'revolt'
Feb. 7: Facebook-powered protesters take aim at Bahrain
Feb. 3: Anti-government protests in [more than] 3 Arab states. The very last line mentions "Protests were also reported planned for Feb. 14 in Bahrain."
Feb. 3: Bahrain’s King Orders Increase in Main Food Subsidies
OTHER
Other
Feb. 1: 30 years of photos showing just how much the West loved Hosni Mubarak
Feb. 1: Red Cross warns of uprising in Pakistan triggered by flooding.
Jan. 31: Russian Police Arrest Dozens At Protest Rallies
Jan 31: Albanian opposition to hold new anti-government protest, as calls for compromise ignored
Jan. 31: Beijing Blocks Protest Reports
